The Taliban wasted little time advancing in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of British and American troops.
Realities are being realised as approximately 3,000 allied troops arrived in the Afghan capital of Kabul to evacuate administrative staff.
Following more than 20 years in the country, allied forces decided it was time to withdraw. Almost overnight, the Taliban made advances that saw them quickly retake key infrastructure and cities in including Zaranj and Laskhar Gah.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said: “Kabul is not right now in an imminent threat environment, but clearly…if you just look at what the Taliban has been doing, you can see that they are trying to isolate Kabul.”
Britain among other nations are sending troops to assist Afghan government forces. In recent days, the Taliban appear to have moved with ease throughout the country with fears that Kabul will fall quickly should the hardline group send fighters towards the capital.
Elsewhere, it appears the reality of Afghanistan’s future has set in. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi posed for a photograph with a Taliban official. With both dressed in formal attire, the occasion appeared to show China’s acceptance of a new government in the south Asian nation.
Stanisland Magazine 